How to Prevent Painful Swimmer's Ear

SATURDAY, June 18, 2016 -- Swimmer's ear -- a common summertime problem among children -- is easy to prevent, an expert says.

"Swimmer's ear is a bacterial or fungal infection caused by water caught in the ear canal. The tell-tale signs are swelling of the ear canal and some drainage or discharge," said Dr. Nina Shapiro, director of pediatric otolaryngology at Mattel Children's Hospital of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Other types of ear infections cause pain inside the ear, but swimmer's ear causes pain when the outside of the ear is touched, Shapiro said in a university news release.

Swimmer's ear can be prevented by using the corner of a washcloth or towel to dry ears after swimming. If a hair dryer is available, use the low setting and place the dryer about one foot away from the ear to dry it, Shapiro said.

Never use a cotton swab to clean or dry the ear canal because it can damage the ear drum, she warned.

You can get over-the-counter ear drops to prevent swimmer's ear, but these should not be used on children who have ear tubes, ruptured eardrums or have had ear surgery, Shapiro said.

If a child does develop swimmer's ear, doctors may prescribe anesthetic, antibiotic or antifungal ear drops, she said.